Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2016

‘Sonny Bill Williams took a selfie and just walked off’ – and eight-year-old Cooper Rodda was left holding All Blacks star’s trophy

Boy’s mother Tan Geurin-Rodda says her son is over the moon after being given SBW’s tankard soon after the final

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Cooper Rodda holding the cup given to him by Sonny Bill Williams, with his mother Tan Guerin-Rodda and father Jeff Rodda. Photos: courtesy of Tan Guerin-Rodda

Nazvi Careem

Published: 3:45pm, 12 Apr 2016Updated: 8:38pm, 14 Apr 2016

Tears of anguish turned to utter joy for eight-year-old Cooper "Coops" Rodda in a blink-if-you-miss-it act of kindness by All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams at the Hong Kong Sevens.

His mother, Tan Guerin-Rodda, said her son was crying after his beloved New Zealand lost 21-7 to Fiji in the final at the Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday.

However, within minutes of the final whistle, Williams came over for a selfie with the family and when he left seconds later, a stunned Cooper was left holding the All Blacks player’s runners-up mug – and only his father, Jeff, saw it.

Watch Cooper Rodda say thanks to Sonny Bill Williams

His story has gone viral and is another chapter in Williams’ propensity for generosity, having given away his gold medal to a young fan after winning the 15s World Cup final at Twickenham last year.

“At the end of the game, we were just waiting to take photos with the players,” said Guerin-Rodda. “My son was there and I called out to Sonny. He just turned, looked and handed my son the cup, which at the time I didn’t know about.